This work presents clearly and impressively the brief information assembled by the Commission for the Testing of Noxious Industrial Substances of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft as a basis for the maximum allowable concentrations (MAC values) of individual noxious substances. At the start of the discussion of the individual substances, the currently valid MAC values and the last date on which they were fixed are given; these are followed by the principal synonyms, chemical name, molecular and structural formulas, the main physical and chemical properties, and finally information on conversion from ppm to mg/m3 and vice uersa. Under the heading "General Action Character" the reader is informed about absorption, metabolism, excretion, and the main effects and modesofaction.This is followed by the sections "Experience with Human Subjects", which includes the results of industrial toxicological,occupationalmedical,and feld investigations as well as descriptions of cases, "Results of Animal Experiments", which includes data on the acute and chronic effects on experimental animals, and finally a brief "Justification of the MAC Value". The arrangement facilitates a clear presentation of the facts and allows fast orientation and the correct toxicological appraisal of the substance. Unfortunately, the work does not yet include important substances that are of very frequent occurrence and are therefore ofgreat interest (e.g. xylene, toluene, and styrene). Moreover despite the understandably advocated view that no MAC values can be given for substances that are believed to cause cancer, one might wonder whether it would have been better to give guide values in the interests of controllability, since no control of these very dangerous emissions, such as benzene, is possible if no limiting value exists. Finally, the ring-book form chosen allows the easy addition of further material and the replacement of pages as a result of revision.
Georg G. Fodor [NB 182 IE]